GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

"Governance must be built not only on institutions, but also on ideas." In this context, discuss the philosophical foundations that should underpin ethical governance. How do these ideas contribute to ensuring probity in public life?

Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Probity in GovernanceCivil Service ValuesHuman ValuesIndian ThinkersWorld Thinkers

Syllabus: Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.

How toppers approached it

From all 3 answers · about 120 words · 100% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • No separate opening2 of 3
  • A definition1 of 3

Body

  • Points2 of 3
  • Points and prose1 of 3

Close

  • A summary2 of 3
  • No separate close1 of 3

The toppers’ answers

Raghav JhunjhunwalaAIR 4 · CSE 2025 · 123 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

"Institutions are the body, but the Ideas are the soul of ethical governance."

Body · points and prose

philosophical foundations leading to ethical gov. & probity

  1. Kautilya's Arthashastra → Yogakshema: welfare state → Responsive & Accountability (in the happiness of subjects, lies king's happiness) measures like: DPSP; Jan Dhan; PM Kisan

  2. Plato's virtue theory

Diagram
wisdom | courage (Ex: DBT 4 | Ex: Durga over cardinal | Shakti leakages) virtues | nagpal | vs. mafia -------------------------------------------- justice | Temperance Ex: Affirmative | No to Action & | corruption & Antodaya | self Approach. | Restraint

(3) Hobbes' social contract ↳ Govt gains legitimacy only till public trust is retained. Ex: corruption: loss of trust → Against general will measures like CAG, CVC, RTI, etc.

(4) Spinoza ↳ God in every human. Focus: Last mile service delivery Ex: PM AWAS; UJJWALA, etc.

(5) Kalam's focus on removing Inequality like Rural urban divide

Close · a summary

Focus ↳ PURA ideology, Financial Inclusion.

Thus, various foundational aspects guides ethical governance of the day.

More on Probity in Governance

The concept of public service and the philosophical basis of governance and probity, taken as the syllabus states it.

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